A FRENCH LESSON FOR PSYCHO'S KIDS.

England Under-21s 0 France Under-21s 2

STUART PEARCE'S emotional return to the City Ground was ruined by France's classy kids.

England Under-21 boss 'Psycho', a former Nottingham Forest hero, saw his team undone by the pace and movement of a side who, unlike the hosts, have not qualified for this summer's European Under-21 Championship finals in Sweden.

Michael Mancienne and David Wheater were at fault for the goals that condemned Pearce's side to a first home defeat since October 2005.

Joe Hart impressed early on as he saved England several times as the lightning-fast French exposed his defence.

He was locked in a duel with David N'Gog, denying the Liverpool striker after he had played a one-two with Younousse Sankhare to slice open the home defence.

Gabriel Obertan then advanced from the right and cut on to his left foot before hitting a stinging shot which Hart did well to keep out.

The Manchester City keeper then showed quick reactions to run out and block N'Gog's attempt to lob him.

He could not continue to defy the slick French single-handed and was beaten on 26 minutes when Mancienne failed to clear the ball and Obertan shot home from the edge of the area.

It got worse for England when Wheater lost the ball just inside his own half and Moussa Sissoko raced through before deftly lifting the ball over the advancing Hart to make it 2-0.

CAPTION(S):

FUMING Boss Pearce